Aussie singer turned champion swimmer Cody Simpson marked his 29th birthday by confirming his highly-anticipated return to music.
His birthday saw Simpson announce the January 13 release of his new single Again and Again and had the star reflecting on his journey to stardom.
From a young teen who rose to fame, to his high-profile relationships and multi-hyphenate career, we take a look at the unexpected life behind Australia’s golden boy.
Catch the first look at his new single in the video above.
The many faces of Aussie golden boy Cody Simpson. (Getty / Instagram)A YouTube sensation was born
Before he was a recording artist, singer / songwriter, actor, theatre star and champion swimmer, Simpson was a Gold Coast boy with a dream.
From 2009 as a young teen, he began performing covers of his favourite songs on YouTube. Discovered by Grammy-nominated producer Shawn Campbell, Simpson rose to fame and moved to LA at just 13.
Cody grew up on the Gold Coast with parents Brad and Angie and siblings Alli and Tom. (Instagram / @codysimpson)
He went on to release his debut single iYiYi featuring Flo Rida in 2010, alongside hit singles On My Mind and La Da Dee.
Cody’s first high-profile romance
Kylie Jenner and Cody Simpson in 2011 (WireImage)
As the newest Aussie heartthrob to hit Hollywood, Simpson caught the eye of reality star turned billionaire mogul Kylie Jenner.
The teen romance was brief in 2011, cementing Simpson’s status in the inner circle of young Hollywood royalty.
The relationship that stopped the internet 
Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid.
After his romance with Kylie Jenner, Simpson went on to date supermodel Gigi Hadid in 2013. The pair made many red carpet appearances, graced the pages of Vogue and appeared in music videos together.
The duo dated for two years before their highly publicised break up in May 2015.
Cody joins the world stage
Cody Simpson and Justin Bieber at the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards. (Getty)
During the peak of his relationship with Gigi Hadid, Simpson released his debut studio album Paradise in 2012.
Following a brief stint in the US, the popstar toured Europe in 2013 as a solo artist while supporting global pop sensation Justin Bieber on Bieber’s European Believe tour.
That same year Simpson released his second studio album Surfers Paradise, his first album to debut in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Cody sparks a Miley media frenzy
Cody Simpson in his Miley Cyrus era. (Instagram)
Following his third album Free (2015), and two years with his band The Tide, Simpson returned to solo work in 2019. He released the single ‘Golden Thing’ inspired by his then famous girlfriend Miley Cyrus.
Their relationship was a 10-month whirlwind of tattoos, acoustic jam sessions and TikToks keeping fans very busy during lockdown.
The duo’s romance came shortly after Cyrus ended her marriage to fellow Aussie, Liam Hemsworth. Simpson and Cyrus split after deciding to “go in different directions”.
Cody sets his sights on the pool
Cody Simpson during a training session at the 2021 Australian Swimming Championships. (Getty)
For Simpson, that direction included the decision to walk away from music to pursue his childhood dream of professional swimming.
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Training under elite coaches including two-time Olympian Brett Hawke, Simpson defied doubters making the Australian Dolphins squad and winning Gold and Silver medals in relay heats at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Cody Simpson earned his spot on the Australian Commonwealth Games squad. (Getty)
By 2024, the Aussie popstar had hit pause on his music career for five years. His next dream? The make the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Only that dream fell short when he failed to qualify – by just over half a second short.
Simpson finished fifth in the 100m butterfly final, his signature style, with a time of 51.79, over half a second short of Swimming Australia’s Olympic qualification time of 51.17.
He decided his “swimming journey” was complete, pivoting to musical theatre roles and finding love with swimming sensation Emma McKeon.
Cody meets Emma McKeon
Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon (Instagram/@emmamckeon)
In May 2025, the powerhouse swimming duo celebrated their three-year anniversary. The couple have been going from strength-to-strength outside the pool.
Cody confirms his first single of 2026
“Would not spend my birthday any other way,” the star wrote on Instagram as he celebrated turning 29 in the recording studio.
The star, currently in LA, described the day as “magical”. This will be Simpson’s first studio album since 2022.
From the stage to the screen and studio
Now Simpson has come full circle, starring in his first Australian scripted series He Had It Coming, while promising new music for 2026.
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